Gov. Bill Richardson’s office says there has been “very little public interest” beyond that shown by the media in a bill that would open conference committees and many other legislative meetings to the public.
The comment from Deputy Chief of Staff Gilbert Gallegos came today in response to a recent column in which I questioned the motive behind Richardson’s backpedaling on a previous pledge to sign the bill. Richardson now says he doesn’t know whether he will sign it.
I wrote that it may take “a great deal of public pressure” to convince the governor to sign the bill.
“By the way, the governor told me to let you know that if you really think a ‘great deal of public pressure’ is needed for him to sign the bill, this bill is in real trouble,” Gallegos wrote in an e-mail. “Outside of the media interest, we have had very little public interest in the bill. One person met with the governor, we got four e-mails and some phone calls. I also requested and received input from Sen. (Dede) Feldman.”
Feldman, D-Albuquerque, was the sponsor of a mirror version of the bill currently awaiting action by the governor — House Bill 393, sponsored by Rep. Joseph Cervantes, D-Las Cruces.
For those who might be interested in contacting the governor to express their opinions on this or any other bill awaiting action by him, the phone number for the governor’s office is (505) 476-2200. You can also e-mail him.